Political Science and Liberal Arts Education in Nebraska

If you, like the late former President Gerald Ford, are a Nebraskan with political ambitions, it is in your best interest to pursue a political science degree in Nebraska. Investigate the political science departments of the many accredited colleges and universities in the state and online. The school you choose should be accredited by a nationally recognized and U.S. Department of Education-approved accreditation agency. Make sure the Nebraska college or university you select is accredited.

Most undergraduate bachelor degree political science programs require that students take from 36 to 45 credit hours in the major and other required courses. Classes that you can expect to take in a Nebraska undergraduate political science program include foreign affairs, national security, political theory, the court system, ethnic and race politics, gender politics, civic engagement and government affairs. Graduate studies in political science usually focus more on the research aspect, sometimes within a certain chosen sub-discipline or concentration. Global politics, political theory and research methods are some of the course titles you may find in a graduate political science degree program in Nebraska.

Political Science Careers in Nebraska

According to the Occupational Supply Demand System, opportunities for market research analysts are expected to increase in Nebraska by 31.3 percent between the years 2008 and 2018. This is just one of the many political science careers in Nebraska that show great growth potential during the next decade. Jobs for survey researchers are expected to grow by 26.3 percent. Paralegals and legal assistants will see growth of 24.4 percent. Opportunities for public relations specialists are expected to increase by 20.7 percent. Jobs for logisticians will rise by 19.9 percent. Positions for management analysts are expected to increase by 12.3 percent.

Currently, postsecondary law teachers are among the highest paying jobs in Nebraska, according to the Nebraska Department of Labor. While the annual salary for this political science career is confidential, as is the salary for another high-paying political science career (administrative law judge), these careers are listed along with the 25 highest paying jobs in the state. Some of the largest employers in Nebraska employ political science graduates in diverse positions. These employers include the Omaha Public School District in Omaha, the Health & Human Services Department in Lincoln, Tyson Fresh Meats in Lexington, Douglas County Commissioners in Omaha, and ConAgra Foods in Omaha.

How to Become a Politician in Nebraska

Nebraska shares the distinction, along with Maine, of being one of the only states that allows a state to split its electoral votes during a presidential election. Of Nebraska's five electoral votes, two are given to the winner of the popular vote in the state, and the remaining three votes are given to the candidate with the most votes in each of Nebraska's three congressional districts. This unique electoral process is the topic of much debate in both Nebraska and the entire United States during presidential election years.

Although Nebraska has been a mostly Republican state since 1940, members of both major parties (Democrat and Republican), as well as Independents, have been elected to state and federal offices. Other political parties that are currently active in Nebraska include the Constitution Party of Nebraska, the Green Party of Nebraska, and the Libertarian Party of Nebraska (which was officially recognized as a political party by Nebraska's Secretary of State in 2010). If you are interested in running for office, contact the county election office in your county, who will give you the proper paperwork and/or direct you to the Secretary of State's office (depending upon the office you seek and your qualifications).